Camaro Rumored to Be Put Out to Pasture After 2023

A report surfaced today from Muscle Cars and Trucks, suggesting that the Camaro will not live on to see a seventh generation. Having been sold continuously for the last 10 years, the iconic pony car is not planned to transition to the new A2XX platform. Current product plans forecast production to 2023, but nothing further.

The current sixth-generation Camaro is built on the Alpha platform that was utilized by the outgoing ATC and CTS. The new CT4 and CT5 models are built on an updated version of that platform, dubbed A2XX. While all 3 models will be built alongside each other at the Lansing Grand River Assembly Plant, the Camaro is not slated to receive a redesign to transition onto the newer chassis.

Development of a seventh-generation Camaro was under way but is reported to have been suspended indefinitely. Unless there is a revival of the program, the nameplate would fade away after 2023.

This would not be the first time that the Camaro has been put on hiatus. The last gap in production lasted from 2002 until the fifth-generation car made its comeback in 2009. The sixth-generation car made a leap forward in performance and refinement, continuing on to become a monstrous performer, especially when in 1LE guise.

The ZL1 1LE challenges the performance of the Corvette line, which may be a contributing factor to what’s put the Camaro’s future in jeopardy. The Pontiac Fiero was rumored to have suffered a similar fate for the nearly identical reasons.

Other factors, such as declining sales, mixed response to styling, changing personnel, and the brutal performance potential conflicting with GM brand images could be at play. Justification for investing in developing a seventh-generation Camaro on the A2XX platform will be played against the weakly-projected sales volumes providing a worthwhile return on investment.

As far as the Camaro has come, it would be a shame to let the car die off. Hopefully this is not signaling an end to this golden era of performance cars.

When asked for comment on the future of the Camaro, a GM spokesperson responded, “While we will not engage in speculation, we will remind you of our recently announced updates coming to the Camaro lineup this fall. An all-new LT1 model will provide customers V8 power with the design and affordability of our LT trim. The award-winning SS model will feature a new front fascia from the Camaro Shock concept. All of our updates are customer-driven to improve the car and its driving experience.”

[Images: General Motors]